ASC30
Low EvidenceAn oral once-daily small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Ascletis Pharma, showing 5.4–7.7% placebo-adjusted weight loss at 13 weeks in Phase 2, with in vitro potency 2–3x greater than orforglipron.
What It Is
ASC30 is an investigational oral once-daily small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Ascletis Pharma (China) using the company's proprietary POTENT (Peptide Oral Transport ENhancement Technology) scaffold. Like orforglipron (Foundayo), ASC30 is a non-peptide GLP-1R agonist that can be taken orally without the food/water timing restrictions required by oral semaglutide. In vitro receptor binding studies show ASC30 is approximately 2–3 times more potent than orforglipron at the GLP-1 receptor, potentially suggesting a higher ceiling for weight loss at equivalent doses. Phase 2 clinical data presented at the American Diabetes Association 2026 Scientific Sessions (June 8, New Orleans) from an n=125 study showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful dose-dependent placebo-adjusted weight reductions at week 13: 5.4% (20 mg), 7.0% (40 mg), and 7.7% (60 mg). No weight loss plateau was observed at 13 weeks across any dose group, suggesting continued efficacy potential with longer treatment. The GI tolerability profile was reported as favorable compared with orforglipron in head-to-head in vitro tolerability assays, attributed to ASC30's biased agonism profile. Ascletis also presented preclinical data for ASC37, an oral GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple agonist peptide using the same POTENT technology platform, and ASC39, a selective amylin type 1 receptor agonist targeting the amylin pathway with high hAMY1R selectivity and minimal calcitonin receptor binding — designed to reduce amylin-mediated nausea.
Regulatory Status
Phase 2 data presented at ADA 2026 (June 2026). No Phase 3 initiation date confirmed yet. Based in China; U.S. regulatory path not yet announced.
Effective: June 2026
View FDA SourceWhy Researchers Study It
ASC30 represents a next-generation oral GLP-1 receptor agonist with higher in vitro potency than the first approved oral small-molecule GLP-1 drug (orforglipron/Foundayo). If the 2–3x potency translates clinically to greater weight loss per dose — while maintaining a favorable GI tolerability profile — ASC30 could challenge orforglipron and compete in the oral GLP-1 space without injection requirements.
Proposed Mechanisms
- Selectively activates GLP-1 receptors to suppress appetite via hypothalamic signaling
- Non-peptide small-molecule structure enables oral bioavailability without permeation enhancers
- Biased agonism profile designed to favor cAMP-mediated signaling (weight loss) over beta-arrestin (GI side effects)
- POTENT technology platform optimizes oral transport across gastrointestinal epithelium
- No food or water timing restrictions due to non-peptide scaffold
Evidence Snapshot
| Study Type | Model | Outcome | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human (Phase 2) | Adults with obesity (n=125); once-daily oral doses of 20, 40, 60 mg vs placebo, 13 weeks | Placebo-adjusted weight loss of 5.4% (20 mg), 7.0% (40 mg), and 7.7% (60 mg) at week 13; no plateau observed | Source |
| In vitro | GLP-1 receptor binding and cAMP assay vs orforglipron | ASC30 approximately 2–3x more potent than orforglipron at the GLP-1 receptor in vitro | Source |
Commonly Discussed Benefits
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Safety & Cautions
- Only 13-week Phase 2 data available as of June 2026 — long-term efficacy and safety unknown
- Weight loss at 13 weeks (7.7% max) is consistent with early orforglipron data but longer trials are needed to establish competitive efficacy
- In vitro potency advantage has not yet been confirmed in head-to-head clinical trials
- China-based development; U.S. clinical trial and regulatory pathway not yet announced
- Not FDA-approved and not in Phase 3
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ASC39
Low EvidenceASC39 is Ascletis Pharma's investigational once-daily oral small-molecule amylin-selective amylin receptor agonist for obesity. In head-to-head preclinical assays it matched Eli Lilly's injectable peptide eloralintide on amylin-receptor potency, selectivity over the calcitonin receptor, and weight loss in diet-induced obese rats. Ascletis plans to file a U.S. FDA IND for ASC39 - and for a fixed-dose combination with its oral GLP-1 agonist ASC30 - in the third quarter of 2026.